Merchandising device



Jan. 12, 1943. J c; CALHQUN ETAL 2,307,993

MERCHANDI S ING DEVI CE Filed April 25, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Tlk h-m- Wilbur L, Daw BY Aar] J. Hansen.

y WoKuM Jan. 12,. 1943. J. c. CALHOUN ETAL MERCHANDISING DEVICE Filed April 25, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 slm m RIVH Y ad E m5. .N wfimj m Maw W Ha A J w Jan. 12, 1943. c. QALHQUN ETAL 2,307,993

' MERCHANDISING DEVICE Filed April 25, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 'y'lllllimiiiiii b INVENTORS: James C. Calhoun.

BY K41"! J Hansen,

Q ATTOR'NEY,

Wilbur L. Davidson.

Patented Jan. 12, 1943 MERCHANDISING DEVICE ames C. Calhoun, New Haven, Wilbur L. Davidson, Westport, Conn., and Karl J. Hansen, Forest llills, N. Y., assignors to Western Cartridge Company, East Alton, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application April 25, 1941, Serial No. 390,236

12 Claims.

The invention relates to merchandising devices and, more particularly, to counter stands for displaying fiashlights, flashlight accessories and the like.

According to -a preferred form of the invention the stand comprises a body member of cardboard or the like bent to form upper and lower front and side walls and upper and intermediate top walls, these walls forming steps or tiers having recesses for displaying flashlights and the like. Secured to the rear edges of the upper sidewalls is a back wall or panel containing advertising.

Secured to the lower part of the lower walls is a tray member formed from cardboard bent to form an inclining bottom wall and front and side walls suitably connected to the body member. For holding the stand in set-up position a reinforcing member is provided having front and side panels with corresponding bottom panels connected-to the corresponding top, side and front walls of the body member. hingedly connected as to permit the stand to be collapsed for shipment. They also hold the stand in set-up condition by bending suitable wings out of the reinforcing'member to engage under said intermediate top walls.

The invention also consists in certain new and original features of "construction and combination of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and the manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in which.-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the new merchandising stand and showing how a flashlight may be supported and displayed in the stand;

Fig; 2 is a plan view and partial section as viewed along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; I

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 3 of Fig. 2; I

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan section taken on line H of Fi 3;

;' Fig. 5 is a rear view of the main portion of the stand ina partially collapsed position, the two lateral wings or sides having been rotated towards the observer;

Fig. 6 is a plan section taken on line 6-6 of .Fi'g..5;

F1837 is a front view of the stand ful y collapsed position ready for packing for shipment or storage;

Fig. 8 is a detail showinga special form of score for making a smooth unbroken edge;

Figs, 9 to 12, inclusive, show the blanks from which the stand is made.

In the following description and in the claims,-

various details will be identified by specific names for convenience, but they are intended to be as generic in their application as the art will permit.

Like reference characters denote like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. 9-12, inclusive, the several blanks of cardboard or other suitable material are denoted by reference letters A to D. Cuts are shown These parts are so by solid lines and scores by dot-and-dash lines.

Excepting blank D, all the blanks may be made up of a moderately heavy paperboard or cardboard having a surface layer of paper adapted for printing or coloringin a manner to form an attractive advertising display. The blank D, not being visible when the stand is in use, may be made of cardboard which is unsurfaced but sufficiently strong for its purpose of reinforcing and supporting the stand when the latter is set up in the display position.

Referring now to the other figures and more particularly Fig. 1, the blank A forms the main body of the display stand comprising a lower front wall Ill, lower side walls ll, l2, upper front wall I3, upper side walls 14,15, intermediate front and side shelves [6, l1, l8 and a top shelf l9com posed of three portions 20, 2| and 22. e

The blank 3 forms the back wall 23 of the stand, which at its upper portion extends a considerable distance above the top shelf l9 so as,to provide a surface upon which printed advertising may be placed..

The blank C,-when properly folded and attaohed to the front wall Ill and side walls ll, I2

of blank A forms a tray 24 having a front wall 25, side walls 26, 21 and 28, 23, which may be "angularly disposed in relation to each other and.

the panels 35, 36, 31 has a positionable wing 38 formed therein which serves to maintain the stand in display position when swung inwardly beneath the intermediate shelves I6, l1, l8.

The shelves l6, l1, l8 and I9 are provided with recesses, as indicated especially in Figs. 1 and 3, to hold a series of flashlights, one of which is indicated by 46. These recesses may be of different sizes and shapes to hold different sizes and types of flashlights.

The blanks A, C and D are assembled at the factory where the stand is made preferably 'by glue, metal fasteners or both. The assembled stand is collapsed and shipped flat along with the blankB which is folded onceto reduce its shipping size. collapsed condition as received by the merchant who, to prepare the stand for display purposes,

-merely opens the stand, bends certain parts at the scores, connects the interlocking tongues and slots and attaches the back blank B by other tongues and slots to complete the stand for receiving the flashlights, as will hereinafter more fully appear.

The method of assembling the stand at the factory is as follows:

The main blank VA is provided with flanges 4|, 42 along the inner edges of the walls I4, l and glue is applied to their outer surfaces. The blank is then bent along its various scores to approximate its shape in the display position, after which the glued flanges 4|, 42 are secured along the sides of the back of wall I 3 in such a manner that the score lines 43, 44 coincide with the edges of wall l3 and the bottoms of the glued flanges 4|, 42 fall along the score line 45 of wall i3. Blank A is now ready for the attachment on its back face of the reinforcing blank D. U

The blank D (Fig. 12) is provided with flanges 46, 41 and 48 at the bottoms of panels 35, 36 and 31, and panels 36 and 31 are further provided with tabs 49 and 50 midway of their outer edges. the tabs 49, 50 also having flanges 5|, 52. The upper ends of panels 35, 36, 31 are slightly reduced in width as indicated at 53, 54, 55. Glue is applied on the face of the flanges 46, 41, 48, 5| and 52 and on the opposite face of reduced portions 53, 54 and 55. The central flange 46 is then bent back upon itself along the score line 56 and attached to the backof wall In of blank A along the central portion of the bottom edge thereof (Fig. 3) in such a manner that the score line 56 coincides with the bottom edge of wall Ill. The glued portion 53 of blank D is then secured to the central lower portion of wall l3 of blank A in such a manner that the out line 51 forming the top edge of the wing or flap 38 falls just below the score line 45 of blank A.

Similarly, the glued flanges 41 and 48 of blank D are bent back upon themselves along scores 58, 59 and attached respectively to the bottom edge of walls ll, l2 of blank A (Fig. 5), care being taken to bring the outer ends of flanges 41, 48 substantially along the outer edge of the respective walls of blank A to which it is attached and to bring the score lines 56, 59 along the bottom edgeof walls I] and I2. The glued portions 54, 55 of blank D are then attached respectively to the back of walls l4, I5 of blank A so that their outer edges lie substantially along the outer edge of the respective walls |4, I5 and the upper out line 51 of each of the outer wings 38 falls just beneath the score lines 60, 6| of blank A.

Further reinforcement is provided between the Fig. 7 indicates the stand body in.

blanks A and D by the tabs 49 and 50 on blank D wherein the glued flanges 5|, 52 of the tabs are bent back upon themselves along the score lines and attached respectively to the proper place on the back face of the walls H, l2 of blank A,

it being noted that this portion of attachment is automatically attained due to the particular placement of scores and the previous attachment of the rest of the blank D to blank A.

It is to be further noted that it is preferable, although not necessary, to form the various score lines on the blank D in such a manner as to provide a sharp corner when the blank is bent and this may be attained by methods well known in the art such as forming the score by partially cutting the cardboard on that side away from which the part is to be bent.

The tray 24, formed from the blank C, is assembled on the main body of the stand by attaching the flange 19 of blank C to the bottom of the outer surface of the wall ID of blank A as by metal clips 1|, or by glue if desired. The portions of the blank C which form the side walls of the tray 24 may then be folded towards each other along score lines 12, 13, and 14, 15 so as to lie against the central section 25, 25', 88, thereby reducing its width when in shipping condition as shown in Fig. 7. The portions 25,

21, 29 of blank C are particularly adapted to receive advertising printed matter.

It will thus be seen that, due to the particular proportions of the blanks A and D and their attachment to each other'in the mannerabove described a mutual displacement of their various surfaces takes place as the stand in either opened from its collapsed position or closed from its display or set-up position. This may be best understood from a study of Fig. 5 which shows a back view of the stand partially closed, the two sides of the stand being indicated as substantially at right angles to the central section and on their way towards each other (as indicated in Fig. 6) so that, when fully collapsed, one side will lie flat against the back of the central section and the other side flat against the side just mentioned.

As will be observed from Figs. 5 and 6, when the two sides of the stand are swung rearwardly and towards each other, the walls l2 of blank A rotate about their respective axes c and d formed by scores 88, 8| while the panels 36, 31 of blank D rotate respectively about axes a and b formed by scores 82, 83. However, due to the interconnection between blank A and blank D formed by the sections 85, 86, 81 on the bottom of panels 35, 36, 31, the central section of the stand,

comprised by the wall I3, shelves l5 and 20, and.

the panel 35, moves upwardly and towards the front wall H3 in a movement similar to that of the bars of a parallel ruler or pantograph, the shelf l6 and section 85 serving in the same capacity as the pivoted links of the parallel ruler.

This movement of the central section of the stand is forced upon it by a similar movement imparted to the side sections wherein the rotation of side walls H and I2 about their axes c and d forces the panels 36 and 31 upwardly with respect to walls H, l2 as they in turn rotate about their axes a and b. The latter rotation is given to the panels 36 and 31 through their con-- nection to side walls H and i2 by the tabs 49 and 58 and sections 86 and 81 but the axes a and b, being prevented from traveling in the arcuate paths of sidewalls II and i2 because they are common to the central panel 35, move upwardly tions of the stand outwardly. until the shelves I I6, I'I, I8 are in a substantially horizontal position and then by pushing inwardly each of the three wings 38 formed in panels 35, 36, 31 until their top edges are fully beneath theshelves I6, I] and I8 and their bottom edges overlie the portions 85, 86, 81 of blank D. The main body of the stand is then held in expanded or display position.

The tray 24 may then be set up by first unfolding the blank C from the shipping position (shown in Fig. 7), then bending along the score lines 90, 9|, 92, so as to form a vertical aligned wall of areas 25, 25, 26, 26, 21, 21', 28, 28', 29, 29. Areas 25 to 29 are then bent outwardly and downwardly to form double walls the ends of which are then bent towards the side walls I I and I2 of the main stand wherein slots 83 and 94 are formed to receive tongues 95 and 96 carried on the ends of sections 26 and 28 of blank C. The bottom walls 3| and 32 of the tray are held in position by their tongues 99 and I which fit into slots IOI and I02 cut into the side walls II and I2 and so .fashioned as to substantial1y lock the tongues 99 and I00 in their pushed in position.

The back wall of the stand, formed by blank B, is attached to the stand next to further complete the set-up. As shown, the blank B is symmetrical about the score I and may be attached to the stand with either end uppermost. The purpose served by this feature is the'availability of two areas forprinted advertising either of which may be selected for display, as for instance, one directed to winter use of flashlights and the other to summer use. For attaching the blank B to the stand there is provided a pair of tongues I06, I01 on the side Walls I4, I5 of the stand which flt into slots I08, I09 formed in blank B and lockthemselves therein due to the form of the slots and tongues.

The top shelf I9 is next formed by bending the side portions 2I and 22 of the blank A downwardly along the provided score lines and slipping the tongues IIO, III into slots H2, H3 of blank B. The central portion of the top of the stand is likewise bent downwardly and its tongue II4.

slipped into slot I I5 of blank B wherein it is automatically locked.

The blank B is provided with relatively narrow flanges IIG along its vertical edges which, when bent at a slight angleto the face of the blank, serve both as stiffening means and as an ornamentation. The several shelves I6, II, I8 and I9 have a series of recesses of different sizes to hold different size flashlights, all of which are of similar construction, so it is only necessary to describe one recess in detail.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, these holders or recesses are formed by cutting a strap from the shelf portion and wall portion of the stand, which strap has an inclined portion I20 and a top portion I2I.

This strap is connected at its top to shelf 20 and at its bottom to front wall I3. The

cutting of this strap forms a shelf notch I22 and a wall notch I23. Shelf notch I22 has curved sides to'fltthe flashlight 40 and enlarged corner portions I24. The recess is so shaped that to place the flashlight in position for display, it must be inserted from above through the shelf notch I22 with the switch guard I25 of the flashlight in line with one of the corner notches I24. After the flashlight is fully seated with its bottom projecting out of the wall notch I23, it is rotated about its own axis to bring the switch guard I25 out of register with corner notch I24. A pilfer-proof construction is thus provided wherein it is impossible to remove the flashlight without rotating it to align the switch guard I25 with one of the notches I24. The straps I20, I2I serve to help uide the flashlight to seat properly when it is inserted in the holder and also to improve the appearance of the standwhen one or more flash lights are missing from the display. Additional recesses of other shapes may be provided in the shelves for displaying flashlights of a type different from thatv illustrated in Figql. Thus, provision has been made in the top shelf I9 and front wall I3 for displaying a pair of small flashlights (not shown) having the general size and shape of fountain pens. To support such a flashlight the top shelf 20 is provided with an oval hole I30 and the front wall I3 has a similar hole I3I closely adjacent thereto, both holes being of such size as to snugly support the cylindrical walls of the flashlight to be displayed. g

The tray 24 is primarily designed for the display of flashlight batteries and boxes of light bulbs although of course other articles may be displayed therein. The inclined bottom walls 30, 3 I 32 not only strengthen the structure but tip the merchandise within the tray forward to better catch the eye of the shopper.

It will be understood that, in general, the scores provided for folding or bending the various parts of the blanks may be made in any common way now known in the art. However, to preserve pleasing appearances and to avoid ragged and broken corners the type of score shown in Fig. 8

is desirable at observable corners. In this figure the paper board is indicated by I34 and the paper layer by I35. The special double score I36 makes a nice smooth outer corner, this corner being desirable for exposed corners such as at scores 80, BI and others of a similar nature. I

Thus, a merchandising stand is provided which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and yet which is rigid and strong in use. The stand is made mostly from heavy cardboard or paperboard, preferably having a surface layer adapted printing is carried thereon. Substantially the entire device may be assembled in the factory and collapsed for shipping flat. Setting the stand up for display purposes is a simple matter for the merchant, as well as collapsing it for storage.

The general design of the stand wherein the side walls are at an oblique angle to the front walls and in stepped relation thereto permits a view of the displayed wares from many points, while the flashlights themselves, as supported in their holders, are presented to view at an angle to the vertical so that'their tubular portions are more nearly at right angles to the line of sight of a prospective buyer and hence more apt to attract his attention and inspire his admiration.

mits ready collapsing of'the assembled stand for storage or shipment and ready setting up for use. It also strengthens and reinforces the construction holding the parts, particularly thelower walls; in proper relationship. The back member B holds the upper side and top walls of the body member in position and also serves as an advertising sign or placard calling attention to the display.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A display stand for articles of merchandise comprising a main body portion having upper and lower front and side walls with intermediate top walls therebetween, a back wall member having connection with the rear edge of said upper side walls, said upper walls having tapered flaps bent at an angle thereto and having connection with said back wall member and forming upper top walls, said top and front and side walls having notches therein to receive said articles, I

a tray member having front and side walls and a bottom wall, said bottom wall and said tray side walls having connectionwith said body side walls.

2. A collapsible display stand for flashlights and the like comprising a 'main body portion having upper and lower front and side walls with intermediate top walls therebetween, a back wall member having detachable connection with the rear edge of said upper side walls, said upper walls having tapered flaps bent at an angle. thereto and having detachable connection with said back wall member and forming upper top walls, said -top and front and side walls having notches therein to receive flashlights, a tray member. having front and side walls and an inclined bottom wall, said bottom wall and said tray side .valls having detachable connection with said body side walls.

3. A display stand for flashlights and the like comprising a main body portion having upper and lower front and side walls with intermediate top walls therebetween, a back wall member having tongue and slot connection with the rear edge of saidupper side walls, said upper walls having tapered flaps bent at an angle thereto and having tongue and slot connection with said back wall member and forming upper top walls, said top and front and side walls having notches therein to receive flashlights, a tray member having front and side walls and an inclined bottom wall, said bottom wall and said tray side walls having tongue and slot connection with said body side walls.

4. A stand comprising first inner :and, outer wall members having upper and lower wall members hingedly connected thereto in pantograph relationship, and second inner andouter wall members having second upper and lower wall members hingedly connected thereto in pantograph relationship, said inner wall members being hingedly connected to each other and said outer wall members being hingedly connected to each other whereby, when said outer wall members are moved relatively to each other, said inner wall members move with respect to their upper and lower wall members, at least one of said inner wall members having wings hingedly connected thereto adapted to engage under the cor-' responding upper wall member to hold the stand in set-up condition.

5. A stand comprising a body member havin a front wall and side wallsgxtending therefrom, a tray member made from a sheet blank having a flange secured tosaid front wall, said flange having a central bottom'wall attached thereto, a front wall attached to said bottom wall, first side walls attached to said front wall, second side walls secured to said first side walls, bottom wall flaps connected to the said first side walls,said bottom flaps and said second side walls having tongue and slot connection with said body side walls.

6. A merchandise display stand comprising a body member having a front wall and right and left diverging side walls extending obliquely therefrom, a tray member made from a sheet blank having a flange securedto said front wall, said flange having a central bottom wall attached thereto, an inner front wall panel attached to said bottom wall, an outer front wall panel attached to said inner front wall panel, first inner and outer side wall panels attached to said front wall panels, second inner and outer side wall panels secured to said first side wall panels, bottom wall flaps connected to the said first inner side wall panels, said inner and outer panels being folded to form double walls, said bottom flaps and said second side wall panels having tongue and slot connection with said body side walls.

7. A. stand comprising a display portion made up of a one-piece blank having upper and lower front and side walls with intermediate top walls therebetween, a reinforcing member made up of a separate one-piece blank having front and side panels having hingedly connected thereto corresponding bottom panels, said reinforcing member being disposed behind said display portion, said front and side panels being substantially coextensively secured respectively to said upper front and side want, said bottom panels being hingedly connected to the lower margins of corresponding lower'firont and side walls whereby said front wall,-front"panel and-corresponding top wall and bottom panel are in pantograph relationship, and

a reinforcing member made up of a blank having front and side panels having hingedly connected thereto corresponding bottom panels, said front and side panels being coextensively secured respectively to said upper front and side walls, said bottom panels being hingedly connected to the lower margins of corresponding lower front and side walls, strut members hingedly connected to said side panels and hingedly connected to said lower side walls, whereby said front wall, front panel and corresponding top wall and bottom panel are in pantograph relationship, and said sidewalls and side panels and corresponding top walls, bottom panels and said-struts are respectively in pantograph relationship, and wings hingedly connected to said front and side panels adapted to engage under said top walls to hold said stand in set-up position.

9.In a display stand, a collapsible main body member and a separate back wall member to be attached thereto, said main body member comprising a one-piece display portion and having a separate one-piece reinforcing member, said display portion having upper and lower front and side walls with intermediate top walls therebetween, said upper walls having flaps bent at an angle thereto and adapted to have connection with said back wall member and forming upper top walls, said separate reinforcing member having front and side panels corresponding to the lower front and side walls, and means permanently connecting said front and side panels to said lower front and side walls whereby said body member and reenforcing member may be collapsed before assembly with said back wall member. Y

10. In a display stand, a collapsible main body member and a separate back wall member to be attached thereto, said main body member comprising a display portion and having a reinforcsaid body member and said reenforcing member may be collapsed before assembly with said back wall member.

11. A stand, comprising a display member made from a single blank and having upper and lower front and side walls with intermediate top walls therebetween, a separate reinforcing member made from a single blank and having front and side panels corresponding to said lower front and side walls, said upper front wall being hingedly connected to said upper side walls, said lower front wall being hingedly connected to said lower side walls, said front panel being hingedly connected to said side panels, said panels being attached to and substantially co-ext'ensive with said upper front and side walls, said reinforcing member having bottom walls connected thereto and secured to said lower front and side walls, said lower front and side walls having parallelogram relationships with their respective front and side panels and said top and bottom walls, the stiffness of said hinged connections causing said stand to tend to assume a collapsed condition, and

means for holding said stand in set-up position against the force exerted by said stiffness.

12. A stand, comprising a display portion having upper and lower front and side walls with intermediate top walls therebetween, a reinforcing member having front and side panels corresponding to said lower front and side walls, said upper front wall being hingedly connected to said JAMES c. CALHOUN. w. L. DAVIDSON. KARL J. HANSEN. 

